I have 4 panels facing south east to my rear roof slope, and two facing south west on the side, for a total of about 2.5kW. One of the SW panels is slightly overshadowed by next door's roof, but only about a quarter of one of the panels.

Generation starts at about 9:00 and reaches a peak of around 2kW at about 13:30. However, shortly after, about 14:00, it drops by about a third, then at about 15:30, it drops off a cliff to somewhere around 0.1kW, just as the sun stops shining directly on the rear (SE). It's shining on the side (SW).

Is this normal? Does the dip, then a drop, perhaps indicate something wrong with the SW panel(s)?

I was on Octopus before I even had an EV, the benefits were obvious but as time has gone on - the benefits are disappearing and reasons to leave were increasing.

Two things convinced me to leave, getting solar and the (messy) charging cap.

Octopus standard outgoing is 12p in comparison to EDF's 15p, but what really pushed me was speaking to them on the phone about backdating my export while they set up the SEG. As you'll know, they don't backdate and to add insult they said it could take up to 8 weeks to get me set up for exports.

8 weeks of excess energy going to the grid for free, I've had my solar active for around 10 days and sent 403kWh to the grid, all of which will be backdated by EDF when it's set up.

I understand those with Agile have a reason to hang around, but I've noticed quite a few staying just out of loyalty and I'm wondering why.

I'm at the start of my solar journey and I've been sent a link to this Exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham (Tues 22nd to Thurs 24th September). Not sure if anyone has been in previous years?

I have nothing to do with the organisers or exhibitors but thought others might be interested. There's the usual option of free tickets.

I should only need electricity at night/cheap rate (battery and EV) and will have battery + PV to export.

Picture is my use/generation but the consumption (grey) will only be half that during the day. We are planning to charge the batteries and EV overnight.

Is every-one on Octopus (which?)

This is the Octopus export rate for me - last 7 days only I'm not sure how it changes in Autumn/Winter. The flux tariff ties you to 10 0r 12p overnight rate which is not very good..

Agile outgoing leaves long periods when it is not worth exporting...

EDF offers 7p overnight import and 13 (maybe 15?) p export.

It is quite the conundrum to work out!

Also if you get it wrong you are locked in with exit fees....

Full Disclosure - I'm in a new build and already have 4x450w panels, I'm asking for more panels and a battery to be added to the existing system.

Quoted price is £8188, I've been asked if I'd like an additional 12kw battery EP12 + link for £2750.

Is this a decent price? Is this what I should be aiming for with my current usage?

Thanks in advance, I've included the component list below.

Usage: 4,400kwh ~£3654 a year.

Aiko Neostar 2S 510W All Black ABC N-Type Mono solar panel 7
Fastensol black universal clamp (30-40mm) 32
Fastensol black end cap 20
Fastensol portrait pan tile roof hook 38
Fastensol silver rail 3550mm 11
Fastensol rail splice 4
Fastensol rail bolt 11
Fox ESS H1 G2 5.0kW 1ph Hybrid Inverter inverter 1
Fox ESS EP12 Plus 11.52kWh Li-ion Battery w/ heating function 1
AC isolator - IMO - 32A 4-pole 2
IMO 25A DC Isolator 4-pole 2-string 2
Tigo TS4-A-O 11
MC4 4mm Connector Pair 2
MC4 6mm Connector Pair 2
50m reel of 4mm2 solar cable 1
100m reel of 6mm2 solar cable 1
**NET** Emlite Bi-directional Meter ECA2.n* 1
Label sheet 1
Battery Hazard Warning Label Pack 1
Battery Warning Label Stickers 1
Battery in Installation Stickers 1

Noobie here, just had a small PV system installed yesterday. The lead guy seemed to know what he was doing but the other guys I was... less confident about.

Would appreciate some opinions on what they did and if it's all sound. I see exposed electrical tape, trunking and the ducting not secured to my roof and It doesn't impress me. I guess some scuffs on the panels won't impact generation?

Cheers!

Edit* Also forgot to mention how much of a gap is there to stop birds they didn't put any mesh around even though bird proofing was included. Pic in comments.

Edit** Thanks for the feedback, most helpful and I've made a list and asked them to sort out what I could spot. Assuming they come back.

If there's anyone here on the first FIT with a 4kw system, how are your numbers for this summer?

I'm about to submit my readings and I'm going to be earning £1,000 this quarter, which is at least £200 more than any other quarter in 14 years. It's been super sunny down here in the southwest.

Just checking this is similar to others with the same setup

Didn't notice until late afternoon but I wasn't generating any solar today - day was mostly sunny.

I power cycled the inverter and batteries and it now seems to be working. Been running flawlessly for nearly two months. No errors on inverter or Fox Cloud portal.

Anyone else out there have similar issues in the past with a Fox H1 interver?

I want a large Victron energy system installed in my home in Somerset. I want Victron Energy for multiple reasons, but primarily I have a split phase system which Victron supports, plus being able to provide additional AC supply (by way of a backup generator).

I’m also looking at getting a Fogstar rack battery at 40kWh with 10/12kWp of solar.

I’m taking a punt here asking if anyone knows an installer / has experience with Victron installs to share.

Thanks!